Finally, “MY” tank in 1/35 scale!
I had the Military Occupation Specialty (MOS) of 11E during my service in the U.S.Army during the 1970’s. That meant I was a tank crewman, on -you guessed it!- the M-60 tank. I was in every position, loader, driver, gunner, and eventually tank commander. A few years ago I was thrilled to see Dragon come out with their offering of the M-60, which was so incorrect as to be laughable! The only other offering of an early M-60A1 was the Tamiya model, which was a much older kit, but actually more accurate. There is another kit by another manufacturer, AFV Club, I believe, but I haven’t bought one yet. This is the TAKOM offering, an early M-60A1, the type I knew and crewed, as well as the M-60, its’ stablemate and slight predecessor. By most standards, the M-60 and ‘A1 were the “King Tiger” of their day. We were the biggest tank on the battlefield, to be sure, and we packed a mighty punch, with our 105mm gun, which was more or less NATO universal in the day. We envied the smaller, sportier, sexier (if a tank can be sexy!) European counterparts in all but creature comforts! There, we had them, hands down! Larger target? Yes, but what’s that compared with room to comparatively stretch out? The gunners of all tanks are in the most cramped position by far, but enough on that, to this model. The TAKOM model of the M 60A1 tank, early version is a winner in all respects. The detail is fantastic, especially where the suspension system is concerned, and the tracks are likewise highly detailed and although rubber band type, will surprise you! Kudos to TAKOM on the steel pin system of completion of the tracks, simple and brilliant! All other details of the tank seem very good to me, including the “up and slide across operation of the driver’s hatch, which Dragon botched completely, using the M-48 hatch system mistakenly! Having had a 6 year love/hate affair with this vehicle, I got to know it pretty well, and for my money this medel is a winner in every respect!
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